Havner said he waits until the ice is at least 4-6 inches thick before heading out on frozen inland lakes in Oakland County.

Havner said he was “sad” about the news of an ice angler who died earlier in the week, and two other anglers who were rescued after falling into the ice on Scott Lake.

“We went to White Lake but it’s too early there,” he said. “We wait to it’s at least 4 inches, but we prefer 8 inches. It’s pretty solid here.”

A.J. Havner, 14, and his brother Cody, 19, were using wax worms for bait on Wednesday because the minnows were not biting. They fished just off the shoreline in shallow water far from the deep, not-yet frozen waters of Oxbow Lake.

“I just like coming out with my dad and Cody,” said A.J., who brought to the surface a nice bluegill to add to the dozen or so fish the three ice fishermen already hauled in. “It’s fun.”

Ken Neeley of KD Outdoors in Highland Township said “there is no safe ice.”

“Treat all ice as if it’s not safe,” Neeley said Wednesday. “Be prepared when you go out on ice. Don’t go out unless you have a rope or ice picks to help you climb out if you do go in. And if you have a group of guys going out – spread out. Don’t walk close to each other.”

To check on ice fishing conditions on Oakland County inland lakes or to find anything ice fishing, call KD Outdoors at (248) 666-7799.

Orion Oxford Ducks UnlimitedDoug Zyngier and Joel McCormick agree the 7th annual Orion Oxford Ducks Unlimited Chapter Banquet on Jan. 31 is going to be one of the best ever.

From a national perspective, McCormick said the breakout of monies raised is: 81 percent goes to Wetland/Waterfowl Conservation; 16 percent goes to fundraising and development efforts; and 3 percent is administrative.

“I haven’t seen a complete list for 2013, but I know they (DU) are working on Crow Island State Game Area to conserve 1,250 acres,” McCormick said referring to one local project. .

For more information or to register for the Orion Oxford Ducks Unlimited Chapter Banquet on Jan. 31, call (248) 417-2055 or (248) 505-0183.

Ultimate Fishing Show Trivia Contest

We had a lot of fun with this year’s trivia contest.

Readers who answered our trivia question correctly won two free tickets ($20 value) to the Ultimate Fishing Show-Detroit on Jan. 10-13 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

Also, a grand prize winner has been selected to win a $100 prize that includes a rod/reel combo, donated by Stopper Lures in Hastings.

Last week’s question was: The DNR Fisheries Division receives about 38 percent of its annual budget from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds are generated through federal excise taxes on fishing and boating equipment and motorboat fuel. In 2011, Michigan earned $11.7 million (seventh in the nation) through this program. What is the name of the fund/program from which this money is generated?

Just show your ID at the show ticket booth for your free tickets. For more information, call (800) 328-6550 or visit www.ultimatefishingshow.com.

Jack-it products still hotBrian Metry of Jack-it Products in St. Clair Shores will be at the Ultimate Sport Fishing Show Detroit with his Pro Series Lures he expects will lower the boom on fish in 2013.

“One of my best-selling lures is named the ‘Hammer,’” Metry said. “I wanted a smaller profile body with a little extra weight. The Hammer has the body profile of a ½-ounce lipless crank bait yet is ¾-ounce in weight.”

Metry said another lure his company touts is called the ‘Predator.’

“What is unique about this lure is the cut design in the diving bill,” he said. ”The shape of the diving bill allows the lure to roll as it comes to the end of its wobble. The wide rolling, wobble along with its large bug eyes give it a unique appearance in the water that game fish can’t resist.”

Metry said his Pro Series Lures is making fishermen happy. “Everyone who tries them out has great things to say about them or offers a story on how they whacked fish on them,” Metry said. “This is a great feeling.”

Metry said Pro Series Lures are up to 50 percent less expensive than other quality-made lures.

“The fact that they are very effective and cheaper than the competition is all the reason to purchase them,” he said.

Pro Series Lures range between $8 and $12. “Each lure is unique in its design, has cutting edge detail in the mold and comes in many effective color schemes to match forage in lakes across the country,” Metry said.

For more information, call Jack-it Products in St. Clair Shores at (313) 319-8700 or brian@jack-itproducts.com.

Just a reminderSpring turkey hunting applications are on sale now through Feb 1. The application fee is $4. Hunters may apply for one limited-quota hunting license, or purchase a license for spring turkey Hunt 234, which does not require the $4 application fee. Applications and licenses may be purchased at any authorized license agent or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

Tom Watts writes a weekly outdoors column for Journal Register Newspapers. He can be reached at wattstksrh@hotmail.com.